Congress Full of Lobbyists' Awards
By LAURENCE ARNOLD
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Assailed as anti-green by Democratic critics,
Rep. Mike Pappas recently received a welcome boost: the
"Environmental Achievement Award" from a group named for former
president and conservationist Theodore Roosevelt.
To the Republican party, eager to help the New Jersey freshman
retain his seat, the award hardly could be called a surprise. It
was created, named and given to Pappas by two fellow Republicans
Sen. John Chafee of Rhode Island and Rep. Sherwood Boehlert of New
York.
Critics may call this a do-nothing Congress, but in Washington,
awards still rain down like runner-up trophies at a Little League
dinner. It was only a matter of time before lawmakers created some
to give each other.
Along with scorecards that grade members of Congress on certain
votes, interest groups have devised a laundry list of plaudits to
bestow on lawmakers on their good side even mock awards to shame
those on their bad side.
The accolades may sound exclusive, but many are not. Some go to
200 or more members of Congress. They carry names ready-made to
help win elections, connoting traits like:
STRENGTH. The "Guardian of Small Business Award" from the
National Federation of Independent Business. The "Golden Bulldog
Award" from Watchdogs of the Treasury.
PATRIOTISM. The "Thomas Jefferson Award" from Food
Distributors International. The "Spirit of Enterprise Award" from
the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
BENEVOLENCE. The "Responsible Choices Award" from Planned
Parenthood Federation of America. The "Legislative Visionary
Award" from the National Association for the Self-Employed.
Some Democratic lawmakers wear their "Deficit Hawk Award" from
the Concord Coalition as a badge of fiscal responsibility, much to
the consternation of Republicans. Many tax-cutting conservatives do
not get this award because in the Concord Coalition formula, tax
cuts without corresponding cuts are as irresponsible as spending
increases.
At the other end of the spectrum, liberals were confounded by
the creation of the Coalition of Republican Environmental
Advocates, a new group that will bestow the "Teddy" or "Theodore
Roosevelt Conservation Award."
The new group's ties to business lobbyists have come under
attack. "I think TR would be simply outraged," said Theodore
Roosevelt IV, the former president's great grandson.
Among those who distanced themselves from the new group was
Boehlert, the New York congressman who is chairman of the separate
but also Roosevelt-inspired group that gave Pappas his award, the
TR Fund.
Boehlert and Chafee formed the TR Fund in 1996 to salute
Republicans who support "sound environmental policies." Pappas,
who is unpopular with the New Jersey Environmental Federation, said
the TR Fund award will motivate him to continue efforts to
"increase open space, preserve farmland (and) clean up Superfund
sites."
Other 1998 recipients are Sens. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire,
Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Alfonse D'Amato of New York, and
Reps. Brian Bilbray of California, Constance Morella of Maryland,
Jon Fox of Pennsylvania, Nancy Johnson of Connecticut, Charles Bass
of New Hampshire and Rick White of Washington.
At least they are happy with their prize. Former Sen. William
Proxmire, D-Wis., set the gold standard for unwelcome honors with
his "Golden Fleece Awards" for wasteful government spending.
Proxmire passed the baton to Public Campaign, a watchdog group
that gives "Golden Leash Awards" to highlight "outrageous
favors, access or trade-offs purchased with special interest
campaign contributions." The most recent dishonoree was Sen. John
Breaux, D-La., for accepting $276,000 from the oil and gas
industries since 1993 and promoting "special favors" for them.
Through a spokesman, Breaux said the two industries are vital to
Louisiana's economy "and I am pleased to have their support."
Citizens Against Government Waste bestows "Oinkers" each year
for "dubious achievers and dishonorable mentions."
Do not expect any gushing acceptance speeches from recipients of
the "Porker Award," given by Rep. Tom Petri, R-Wisc.
In a Congress overflowing with honors, is not another award
itself a waste of public time and money?
"Little actual research or staff time is required for the
Porker Award," explains Petri's site on the World Wide Web,
because "tales of government waste have proved easy to come by."
(07 Sep 1998 01:29 EDT)
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